Justine

I recently dined at Justine, a French restaurant nestled in the vibrant streets of New Orleans. My experience was overall positive, with a few noteworthy highs and lows. The reservation process was seamless, and we were seated immediately upon arrival. The service stood out for its efficiency and attentiveness. Our server was constantly on the ball, taking orders, checking in on us, and clearing plates without delay. We began our culinary journey with the Onion Soup Gratinée, which pleasantly surprised us with its robust flavor, a welcome departure from the usual bland and overly salty renditions. However, the Escargot didn’t quite hit the mark, lacking in the rich garlic and butter essence I anticipated. The bread served alongside struggled to find its purpose, given the sauce’s lack of depth. For the main course, we opted for the Grilled Pork Porterhouse for the kids, which turned out to be quite chewy, possibly due to insufficient fat. Nevertheless, the accompanying sweet potato mash was a delightful pairing, and the marchand de vin sauce added a lovely touch. The kitchen also accommodated a special request for pasta with butter sauce for the children, although the pasta was a bit too firm for our taste. My Seared Scallops were the star of the evening, perfectly cooked with a subtle yet satisfying flavor. My husband’s Pan Roasted Fish, a red snapper, was less impressive due to the absence of the promised lemon butter sauce, resulting in a rather bland dish. Dessert was a mixed bag. The Vanilla Crème Brûlée was exquisite, with the right balance of egg and vanilla in the custard. The Apple Sticky Toffee Pudding, on the other hand, deviated from the traditional pudding texture, resembling more of a cake accompanied by salted caramel, which lacked the anticipated saltiness. The roasted apples and Creole cream cheese ice cream were commendable, effectively offsetting the caramel’s sweetness. In summary, Justine offers a distinctive blend of French cuisine with a Southern twist. While not every dish was a hit, the overall dining experience, bolstered by prompt service and a pleasant ambiance, made it a worthwhile visit for anyone looking to enjoy French flavors in New Orleans.

We walked to this place for Sunday brunch. Umm, do THAT! The live jazz was soothing and not too loud, and everything we ate was fantastic. Wish I took more food pics, that food was gone in seconds. We ordered every single app and shared entrees. I also recommend the espresso martini. It was STRONG, and I LOVED IT! I was with a large group before a show at the Saenger and they got us out in time for the show. Also, the decor is fabulous. It puts you in the mood to have fun! Great girls brunch or date.

The entire staff was very friendly and willingly shared their favorite menu items. The Onion Soup had great flavor even though I wasn’t totally thrilled with the rye bread inside the soup (I usually like a softer bread). I had scallops as my main course - awesome, perfectly cooked with brown butter. My wife had the catch of the day, Red Snapper, which was seasoned perfectly so you still tasted the fish with light notes of butter and herbs. However, the surprise of the meal was the Baked Crab Mac. You have to order this creamy, rich flavor bomb! Definitely a new favorite.